By: Ominae
Rating: T
NOTE:
All characters of Martin Mystery are under the copyright of Marathon; all characters of Striker/Spriggan are under the copyright of Hiroshi Takashige and Ryoji Minagawa; all characters of Street Fighter are under the copyright of Capcom. I exclusively own the rights to the characters Mark Sy and Patrick Chan.
Previously:
With the impending arrival of US Air Force officers William Guile and Charlie Nash with ICPO agent Chun-Li Xiang to assist Martin Mystery and Mark Sy, in ridding Shadowlaw's attempt in raiding a secret research base in the outskirts of London with some help from Delta Red, Mark began to shiver a bit in fear. The only predicament that Mark Sy is facing right now is that Chun-Li is Mark's cousin, meaning that his hidden identity as a military-trained Center agent could be blown at any time soon before the raid is commenced. How will Mark protect his secret life from his cousin? Will he be able to thwart Shadowlaw and their leader, Bison from destroying it completely? Will the additional manpower, with the unofficial help from ARCAM's Strikers, be able to stop the deadly terrorist group? Stay tune to this chapter to find out.
NOTE TO EVERYONE:
My pal, ShadowHawk wants to let you all know that he wants some reviews for his story, Martin Mystery: Hunter's Moon. He's begging you guys to see and review it.
That's it. Thanks guys and hope you peeps like this chapter.
Chapter 8: Some Risks
Briefing Room, Delta Red Headquarters, MI-6 Building, Britain - 9:55 A.M.
Mark was passing the time before they commence the actual raid on one of the Center's secret research base hidden in the outskirts of London. Most of Delta Red were now in a meeting with Colonel Wolfman over their course of action. Over his time, he had managed to assemble his weapons that he'll take with him in his mission. Martin was out, getting some things to eat for the two Center field agents.
Mark was now dressed up in a Trident Armored Machine Suit, made similarly to ARCAM's Armored Muscle Suit, but was meant to help make its wearer more agile and more flexible when the wearer engages in any kind of fight. The suit was invulnerable against most weapons since the suit is made from a newly discovered metal known as Omihalcon.
He began to scratch his chin with his right hand, covered by an Omihalcon glove while sitting down in one of the chairs used in the room until he heard a familiar voice calling for him.
"I'm back, man!"
Martin Mystery entered the briefing room with a Pizza Hut box. Tucked under his arm was a 2 Liter bottle of regular Coke and two plastic cups were standing on top of the pizza box. He was wearing an official Roots Canadian Soccer Team Jersey used in the FIFA Korea-Japan World Cup with a black Nike jacket on with dark blue cargo pants.
"Thanks guv! I'll do get the paper plates." Mark stood up from his chair and went to the condiments station in the room to pick up a couple of paper plastics and paper napkins with it too.
"So, what'd you think about the additional help we're going to get aside from the Strikers?" asked Martin, as he prepares to chomp down on a slice of pepperoni pizza.
Mark wiped off some melted cheese from hischin before throwing it in his mouth. "I'm kinda worried. You remember hearing Chun-Li in the briefing report?"
"Yea?" Martin's eyebrow twitched from his answer. "What about it?"
Mark gave a deep breath before replying to his curiosity. "She's my cousin on my Dad's side."
"WHAT?" Martin screamed.
"Yep. And she doesn't even know that she's going to work with me on this case."
"How are you going to cover your presence since you don't want her to see you here?"
Mark grumbled for a few minutes and resumed his conversation with Martin. "I lost my balaclava a while ago when I was assembling my weapons in the armory, so I'll just have to use a sort of scarf that I asked Billy to get for me."
"I see." Martin grabbed his plastic cup and drank his load of regular Coke. "Hopefully that would help you avoid suspicion from her for the meantime."
"Yea." Mark twitched his fingers while eating another slice of pepperoni pizza. "And if I only didn't lose that damn balaclava of mine."
Heathrow International Airport, Arrivals Area (International), London, Britain - 10:15 A.M.
"So who's going to see us again at the airport?" asked Chun-Li, with her suitcase in hand.
"I just made a call to Wolfman after we landed." responded Guile. "Delta Red's going to send us a ride to their HQ first before we join up for the raid."
"I think something's coming." interrupted Charlie, who was pointed on an oncoming 2002 Land Rover Defender SUV as it aproached the trio before it parked on a curb adjacent to where they were standing.
With the vehicle in a halt, Matthew McCoy stepped out the SUV. "Name's Matthew McCoy and I'm with Delta Red." He offered his hand as he shook hands with Guile, Charlie and Chun-Li.
"Nice to meet you, Matthew." answered Charlie.
"So are we heading to HQ?" asked Guile.
"You bet. But my superiors have actually booked a place for you three while the investigation is going on." Matthew opened the Defender's rear door and began to load their luggage in before Guile offered help to Matthew while Charlie sat on the seat next to the drivers while Chun-Li patiently waited inside the vehicle. Once their luggage was securely inside the Defender's trunk area, Matthew entered the SUV and activated the machine as he turned on its ignition. Their first destination was to their hotel in downtown London before meeting with Commander Watson and Colonel Wolfman.
Commander Watson's Office, Delta Red Headquarters, MI-6 Building, Britain - 10:20 A.M.
"We'll be using RAF Northolt as a jump start once we get you two there." said Commander Watson, who was seated in his office chair.
A while ago, Mark had communicated with the three ARCAM Strikers that they should meet up somewhere in Norfolk, where the hidden Center research facility is located.
"I see, Commander." Mark replied.
"Are we going to get our ride refueled on the way?" inquired Martin, who was kind of curious.
"Ah, don't worry about that." Commander Watson waved his hand to the two Center agents. "Your chopper will be refueled just in case in RAF Coltishall."
"Ok then. But before we leave for the operation, I need a request that your personnel will need to know." said Mark before standing up.
"What is it, Lieutenant?" questioned Commander Watson.
Mark narrated to Commander Watson about his problem regarding the presence of Chun-Li for the mission. Soon enough, Commander Watson wanted to ask about this request of his, but decided not to bother with it. "Okay then, I understand your situation, Lieutenant. I'll forward your request to the rest of Delta Red."
"Thank you sir." Mark saluted Commander Watson before leaving for the lounging area with Martin in tow.
"George. Escort the two agents to RAF Northolt." ordered Commander Watson.
"Yes sir!" answered George, saluting him before escorting the two agents out of his office and to the main entrance. On the way, Mark stopped by the armory to pick up his gear.
"Martin." whispered Mark to Martin. "Get M.O.M. on later and request for some jackets, the weather's gonna be dang cold tonight."
"Right." The two agents later boarded a 2002 Land Rover Range Rover SUV with an MI-6 agent at the wheel. George Ginzu was seated next to the driver before they departed for the RAF Northolt base.
"So Mark, what did you ask Commander Watson again?" inquired Martin.
"Well Martin, it was like this..."
Delta Red Headquarters, MI-6 Building, Britain - 10:35 A.M.
While Martin Mystery and Mark Sy were on their way to RAF Northolt in order to prepare for their mission, the three street fighters were being driven by Matthew McCoy to Delta Red Headquarters. Waiting to greet them were Rita Luwanda and the new recruit, Cammy White.
"Ah hello!" greeted Rita Luwanda. "This is Cammy White, our newest recruit."
"Wait, isn't she known as Killer Bee in the ranks of Shadowlaw?" questioned Chun-Li in hesistation.
"Yes she was." answered Rita. "But we had some help in eliminating her Killer Bee personality."
"Really?" Guile began to twitch a bit. "Who?"
"Well..." Cammy began to reply to Guile's question with a smile. "It was those two nice boys from the Center who helped me start a new life."
"I wonder who?" mumbled Chun-Li to herself.
"We better get in and see Colonel Wolfman about what do we do next." suggested Charlie as the five individuals entered Delta Red Headquarters.
Briefing Room, RAF Northolt Base - 10:55 A.M.
"Okay. We've got the jackets and your equipment's at the ready. Let's go kick some Shadowlaw butt!" said Martin, who was pumping his fist in the air. George Ginzu was still in discussion with RAF officers in charge of RAF Northolt Base.
"We can't" explained Mark. "RAF honchos at this base and George Ginzu said we've got to wait for the three peeps first before we start our mission." Mark was now outfitted in a Australian AUSCAM Woodland BDU and had a black BlackHawk Tactical Float Vest II worn over his BDU and his Trident Armored Machine Suit. Strapped on his right leg was a black Safariland Model 6004 SLS Tactical Holster with a Fabrique Nationale Five-Seven pistol holstered inside.
"When will they be coming?" asked Martin, getting frustrated at the time that he needed to wait.
Mark glanced at the wall clock for a few seconds before facing Martin. "In a few minutes, just wait."
En route to RAF Northolt Base - 11:05 A.M.
Charlie, Chun-Li, Guile were with Matthew McCoy and Rita Luwanda in the first 2002 Land Rover Range Rover SUV. Colonel Wolfman and Cammy White were with Commander Watson in another 2002 Land Rover Range Rover SUV in a convoy driving towards the direction of RAF Northolt.
"Who do we meet at Northolt?" asked Charlie, who was peering on the vehicle's windows.
"Well.." Matthew began to explain to Charlie and to Guile and Chun-Li. "One of them is a Canadian national named Martin Mystery."
"And the other?" asked Chun-Li.
Matthew and Rita hesistated for a few minutes, remembering their orders from both Commander Watson and Colonel Wolfman about the second Center agent. "We don't know yet, they say that he's one of the Center's best military-trained field agents. You'll see him shortly."
Guile and Charlie both grinned while Chun-Li had one of her eyebrows raised in suspicion.
"And what is he?" Charlie began to grill Matthew and Rita down on who the mystery agent is.
"Heard he's a Shadow agent." shrugged Rita.
"Shadow?" Charlie seemed a bit surprised.
Matthew offered to answer for Rita. "From what we know, Shadow agents are Center operatives trained in firearms and martial arts with military doctrine. They're mostly used when non-paranormal groups are linked to mysterious incidents or are linked to threats and attacks against the Center. They were recently reorganized so as to let the regular field agents handle paranormal cases."
"This is quite interesting." thought Chun-Li to herself.
"I can't wait to see him kick ass later in their mission." thought Guile while glancing at his wristwatch.
RAF Northolt Base - 11:15 A.M.
Martin Mystery was now walking near a Royal Air Force Aérospatiale-Matra SA 330 Puma helicopter. He decided to take a short walk around the building just to catch some air. With him is a brown backpack with 5 Center field jackets on. Mark and Martin would need them for the fierce cold weather later on.
Martin caught sight on two 2002 Land Rover Range Rover SUVs entering RAF Northolt's gates after passing routine security checks. George Ginzu soon exited the main building and came to attention after its occupants were able to leave their SUVs. Martin walked towards the parked cars as Ginzu was the first one to arrive near the parked vehicles.
"Sir!" George Ginzu gave a military salute to Commander Watson and to Colonel Wolfman, as well as to Guile and Charlie.
"So you're Martin Mystery, eh?" inquired Guile.
"Yes I am sir!" replied Martin, who offered his hand to Guile and to Charlie before he stopped to take a good look at Chun-Li. "Wow, she's a total babe!"
Martin forgot to notice that Chun-Li was about to boil up over his actions. All she needed was to use her spiked wrists mounted on her arms.
"Martin!"
Martin turned his head around to see a lone person standing in front of the base's main building. Charlie, Chun-Li, Guile and the Delta Red team were also looking at the mysterious figure. He was now decked with a captured Trident commando beret on his head. Slinged on his shoulder was a Howa Type 89 assault rifle and on his military belt was a strapped Kydex Nylon Black Military sheath for a Fairbarn-Sykes Commando Pattern 1 knife.
"Stop asking crazy over Detective Xiang! You look like an idiot!" shouted the lone figure. He had his nose and mouth covered by a black scarf cloth that was tied on his neck, resembling a Strider ninja.
"Er. Sorry." said Martin in embarassment.
"Ah Colonel Guile, a pleasure to meet you." answered the masked person as he walked towards the trio before shaking hands with the two Air Force officers and the ICPO agent.
"Are you with the Center?" asked Charlie in confusion.
"Yes I am." answered the lone figure. "Just call me... Hiryu."
"Hiryu, eh?" smirked Guile.
"Those eyes." Chun-Li took a good look at Hiryu's brown eyes, even if his nose and mouth are veiled under a scarf. "They remind me of Mark."
"Is there something wrong, Detective Xiang?" inquired Hiryu in concern.
"Huh?" Chun-Li snapped back from her temporary trance. "No, I'm fine. And please, call me Chun-Li."
"Of course, Chun-Li." replied Hiryu.
"Commander Watson." said George, who interrupted the minor conversation. "RAF Northolt has informed me that two Puma choppers will be on standby for the mission."
"Good work, George. Now I think we better begin the mission. George and I will stay here as liasons. Your radio units are already in the two choppers since I was duly informed by the base commander before I left headquarters." order Commander Watson, who briefed everyone on the ground for a few minutes.
"Okay!" shouted Guile as the two groups in unison as they ran towards their choppers. Martin, Hiryu, Cammy and Rita Luwanda boarded on of the choppers while Charlie, Chun-Li, Guile and Matthew McCoy boarded the other. When the coast was clear, their pilots were given the go-signal to take off at once. Commander Watson and George Ginzu went inside the main building, where they would keep in touch with the two strike teams.
Airspace near RAF Colitshall - 11:30 A.M.
"You alright?"
Hiryu sighed as he leaned near the Puma's open door frame and had one of his feet on the chopper's skid landing gear. He felt a hand touch his shoulder.
"Hey, you seem kinda disturbed of something." Hiryu turned his head and saw Cammy seated next to him. Rita was seated near the pilots.
"Nah, I managed to get suspicion off my cousin for a while." Cammy nodded while Hiryu told her about his concern. "Besides, I can't take the risk of letting her know that I'm 'with her' on my mission with Martin's."
"I understand." Cammy gave Hiryu a brief, but gentle hug before leaning against the Puma's interior frame and closed her eyes in order to get some sleep.
"Chun-Li, is there something on your mind?"
The Chinese Interpol agent was briefly awakened in the middle of the helicopter trip en route to RAF Colitshall by Guile, who was seated next to her. Charlie was helping the pilot navigate with Matthew McCoy.
"I guess so." She then looked out of the Puma's small window.
"What about it?" asked Guile in confusion.
"It's just that... Hiryu's eyes. They remind me of my young cousin."
"Do you mean, Mark?"
Chun-Li sadly sighed for a few seconds and answered Guile's question. "Yes."
"But how? You don't have proof."
"I don't know, Guile." Chun-Li played with her fingers as she was confused also. "I just don't know."
RAF Colitshall Base - 11:59 A.M.
The two Royal Air Force Aérospatiale-Matra SA 330 Puma helicopters were at their respective helipads at their pilots awaited for RAF Colitshall maintenance crew to refuel the two choppers before they can take off.
While most of the team members are in their respective choppers, Hiryu had stopped by the toilet so as to relieve himself before he adjusted his scarf as he noticed that some of it was falling from his nose bridge.
Chun-Li was stretching outside the second Aérospatiale-Matra SA 330 Puma helicopter to wait for the maintenance crews to finish refueling the helicopters. She took a glance at the base's main building and saw Hiryu walking out. Every time that she was able to take a good glance at him, she couldn't help but compare him to her "estranged" cousin.
"Hiryu does remind me of Mark. Maybe I need to talk to him after this mission is over."
"Chun-Li, we're ready." said Charlie as he entered the co-pilot's seat.
"I'll have to see about this for myself." Chun-Li boarded the helicopter and closed the chopper's door. "Okay, Charlie."
With the two helicopters at the ready, the ground crew gave the signal for them to take off.
Bison's Stealth Airship, somewhere over British airspace - 12:10 P.M.
"What is the word from the Psycho Doll commandos, Sergeant?"
The Shadowlaw trooper approached Bison's chair before he stopped and saluted Bison.
"Master Bison, the Psycho Dolls are in position. Small teams of Shadowlaw troopers are also in position. What are your orders?"
Bison merely grinned at this question. He merely gave the orders. "Execute the orders at once!"
"Right away, sir!"
Outskirts of Center Research Facility - 12:20 P.M.
"Cammy, Rita, you two rendezvous with the other Delta Red operatives and with Colonel Guile, Lieutenant Nash and Detective Xiang." instructed Mark.
"Are you guys going to be okay?" asked Rita with concern in her tone.
"Yea. You're only two out there." added Cammy as well.
"Don't worry, babe." replied Martin. "We've got some help on the way out here." Martin and Mark were beginning to wear their white Center field jackets as the weather was now getting colder by the minute. Mark unslinged his Howa Type 89 assault rifle before putting on his Center field jacket while Martin grabbed his backpack from the chopper.
"Okay then." answered Rita, who felt frustrated.
"Just radio Commander Watson and the others. Tell them that we've got some help at the last minute." Mark raised his rifle near his shoulder and lead the way towards the facility. Martin activated his U-Watch to get his X-Staff before turning it into a quarterstaff. They later ran towards the south end of the compound.
"Ready, Charlie?" Guile cracked his knuckles while grinning to himself.
"As always partner. Just like good old times." Charlie answered as he fixed his eyeglasses.
"Men!" Chun-Li slapped her forehead. "At least Mark's more decent than these two."
"Let's go!" shouted Chun-Li as they ran toward the north end of the compound together with Cammy White, Matthew McCoy and Rita Luwanda.
"Where the hell are they, anyway?" grumbled Patrick, leaning on a tree trunk.
"Don't know." Yu adjusted the sling of his Heckler and Koch G3A3 assault rifle. Only the two of them were decked in black Cross Draw Tactical Holster Vests.
"Shh." said Jean, cradling his Franchi SPAS-12 automatic shotgun. "I hear footsteps. No wait! It's them."
A few minutes later, Mark and Martin emerged out of the forest.
"Here you go guys." Martin opened his backpack and tossed the 3 remaining white Center field jackets at the three ARCAM Strikers. "This'll allow you to blend in with us during the raid."
"Thanks, man." answered Yu as he unslinged his weapon before donning the Center field jacket. Likewise, Jean and Patrick did the same with their firearms. Jean had asked Martin to store his WWII B-17 bomber pilot flight jacket for him in the meantime.
"Let's boogie!" yelled Mark as the gang went on towards the clearing in search of the compound's main entrance.
Center Research Facility - 12:30 P.M.
"Dang man!" Patrick aimed his Norinco Type QBZ-97/Type 97 near the main entrance. "Looks like someone already crashed the party."
"You're right." Martin checked the dead guard near the entrance for a pulse. "He's been dead for an hour." On his hand was a Heckler and Koch MP5A4 submachine gun. Patrick and Mark carefully placed the guard's carcass on one side near the entrance.
"It appears that he's been fatally shot multiple times with an automatic weapon." concluded Jean.
"We better get inside before Shadowlaw does more damage!" barked Mark as they ran inside the compound in search for Shadowlaw stragglers.
"Let's hope that we're not too late." shouted Yu as he ran with the others inside the compound.
"The guard's been killed." Chun-Li made a minor check on the dead sentry, who was lying face down on the ground. "Possibly by Bison." The guard was still clutching his MP5A4 in his stiff hands. Cammy helped Chun-Li moved the sentry's corpse away from the compound's entrance.
"I better take this." Guile took the submachine gun from the sentry's hands, including his Eagle Tac-V3 Assualt Vest.
"Better watch out, Guile." Charlie was hugging the wall before peering through the open entrance. "I think I see someone."
"I suggest we head in at once." insisted Rita.
"I agree as well." added Matthew.
"Let's do it." said Guile, leading the way as he aimed the MP5A4 at all possible directions. Charlie, Chun-Li and Rita were following behind with Matthew and Cammy taking the rear.
"This is going to be a long day." pondered Matthew, reflecting over the past few hours that they had just passed.
Chapter 8 END